How to Lock and Hide Apps in iOS 18

How to Lock and Hide Apps in iOS 18

Discover how iOS 18 takes privacy and app management to the next level with Application Locking and Hiding. Learn how to configure these features, their benefits, and practical tips to maximize your security.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 23, 2025

Have you ever handed your phone to someone only to worry about them opening an app you'd rather keep private? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Lock and Hide Your Apps on iPhone.

Whether it's your banking app, personal notes, or sensitive work emails, iOS 18 introduces robust privacy features to put your mind at ease. 

With Application Locking and Hiding, Apple is redefining how users can control their digital privacy.

Apple’s iOS 18 brings a suite of security enhancements, and among the most notable are Application Locking and Hiding. 

These features empower users to:

• Lock individual apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. This ensures that even if someone has access to your unlocked phone, sensitive apps remain protected.
• Hide apps from your home screen and search. Hidden apps can only be accessed through specific settings or by entering their name in Spotlight search.

In a world where privacy breaches are increasingly common, Application Locking and Hiding offer peace of mind. 

Here's how to do it.

Lock an App

Locking an app requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to open the app. Some of the apps that come with iPhone can’t be locked—including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, and Settings.

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Locate the app that you want to lock.
3. Touch and hold the app icon until the quick menu opens.
4. Tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode).
5. Tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode) again.
6. Authenticate using Face ID (or Touch ID or a passcode).

fig. 1 - Lock iPhone Apps

Open an app that’s locked

You can open and use an app that you locked.

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Locate the app you want to open.
3. Tap the app.
4. Authenticate using Face ID.

Unlock an app

You can unlock an app so you no longer need to use Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to open it.

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Locate the app you want to unlock.
3. Touch and hold the app icon until the quick actions menu opens.
4. Tap Don’t Require Face ID, then authenticate using Face ID.

Hide an app

Hide an app to prevent others from seeing or opening it.

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Locate the app you want to hide.
3. Touch and hold the app icon until the quick actions menu opens.
4. Tap Require Face ID.
5. Tap Hide and Require Face ID, authenticate using Face ID.
6. Tap Hide App.
7. The app disappears from your Home Screen and moves to the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.

Cool Tip: To view a list of your hidden apps, go to Settings  > Apps > Hidden Apps, then authenticate using Face ID (or Touch ID or a passcode).

Open a hidden app

You can open and use an app that you’ve hidden.

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Swipe left to go to the App Library.
3. Tap the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.
4. Authenticate using Face ID.
5. The app appears in the Hidden folder.
6. Tap the app.
7. Authenticate using Face ID.

Unhide an app

You can stop hiding an app so that you can see and use it.

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Swipe left to go to App Library.
3. Tap the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.
4. Authenticate using Face ID.
5. To move the app out of the Hidden folder, touch and hold the app.
6. Tap Don’t Require Face ID, then authenticate using Face ID.
7. The app appears near the top of App Library.

Apple’s iOS 18 reaffirms its commitment to user privacy with Application Locking and Hiding. 

These features provide an extra layer of security, giving users greater control over their apps and data. 

Whether you’re protecting personal information or managing shared device access, these tools are must-haves for anyone prioritizing digital security.

Have you tried Application Locking or Hiding in iOS 18? 

Share your experience in the comments below! 

Don’t forget to subscribe to One Cool Tip for the latest tech updates, and share this article with your friends to spread the word about these powerful features.

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned tech expert, is the mastermind behind www.OneCoolTip.com where he serves as both writer and editor. With a keen eye for simplifying complex tech, Rodger delivers practical advice that empowers readers to navigate the digital world with confidence. Dive into www.OneCoolTip.com for a treasure trove of savvy tips and tricks that keep you one step ahead in tech.

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